Belching can be embarrassing, but eructation (the medical term for burping) is rarely a sign of anything serious. “In the vast majority of cases, it’s a benign symptom,” says Paul Berggreen, M.D., gastroenterologist and founder of Arizona Digestive Health. “Intestinal gas, on the other hand, may be associated with some food intolerances.” In other words, if you have a lot of gas coming out the other end, it could be caused by lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or conditions that interfere with carbohydrate absorption, like celiac disease.
Of course, the fact that burping is usually harmless is probably not much consolation if you’ve ever let one slip during an important meeting or a first date. Still, your burps can offer a few clues about your health and your eating habits. Here’s what they want you to know. (Heal your whole body with Rodale’s 12-day liver detox for total body health.)
1. “You’re Eating Too Fast”
If you tend to rush through your meals—gulping down coffee in the morning, grabbing a quick bite on your lunch break, wolfing down dinner in front of the television—you may find yourself burping more than usual. “The single most common cause of belching is swallowing air,” says Berggreen. (You burp when the upper esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes and all that air gets expelled.) Other good reasons to slow it down: Eating too fast has been linked to consuming extra calories, which can raise your risk of obesity.
